Arizona Republican Rep. Jeff Flake says he spent a week alone on an uninhabited island made him feel like he was 'was actually doing something again.'(Photo Credit: Rep. Jeff Flake)

WASHINGTON (CNN) - So why did Rep. Jeff Flake really spend a week alone on a deserted island? Because, he told CNN Wednesday, he "felt like a pansy."

"Ever since leaving the ranch and the farm years ago, I've kind of felt like a pansy, I guess," the Arizona Republican told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "And this made it feel like I was actually doing something again."

Flake spent a week in isolation on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean last summer, subsisting on coconuts and fish and sleeping in a hammock.

Despite the flawless photographs that show him posing shirtless in front of the sunset and with a fish caught on his spear, Flake promised that he was the only one on the island. His secret: a tripod and a timer.

soundoff(121 Responses)

At first, I mistook the photos for another Vlad. Putin annual summer Siberian macho photo-fest. I'll leave comment on the congressman's last name for others.

October 14, 2009 11:38 pm at 11:38 pm |

Maria - Proud Democrat

Good for him.....it's always nice to take time away from the real world to reflect and re-energize.

October 14, 2009 11:39 pm at 11:39 pm |

LouAz

How about finding yourself on your own time. You should be in Arizona or Washington DC serving your constituents and US Citizens.
Get back to work, you prima dona !

October 14, 2009 11:40 pm at 11:40 pm |

Garrison Dyer

pretty cool!

October 14, 2009 11:41 pm at 11:41 pm |

stevetall

And we all care about this crap because?????

October 14, 2009 11:49 pm at 11:49 pm |

Doctor Dan

Alone on that island and fending for yourself? You lie!

October 14, 2009 11:49 pm at 11:49 pm |

Wes

What? Now "actually doing something" means taking a week-long vacation on a tropical island with your electronic gadgets and taking self-gratifying photos of yourself relaxing on the beach in all your "non-pansied" glory?

Most folks call this a "vacation", but I guess that rugged Libertarianism just isn't what it used to be.

October 14, 2009 11:54 pm at 11:54 pm |

Felonious Monk

This reminds me of Russian President Putin and the pics of him shirtless. How silly.
What exactly is this guy trying to prove? Some rich white male rep from congress decides to rough it for a week. I wonder if he was covered by his health insurance during this "ordeal."
Obvious and complete disconnection going on here.

October 14, 2009 11:58 pm at 11:58 pm |

Helen

Sounds like he is a little looney to me!!

October 15, 2009 12:00 am at 12:00 am |

paul

I am not sure why he did it or why we should care but my biggest question is what does he mean that he "felt like a pansy"?

Tom Delay recently used that word when referring to dancing on Dancing with the stars and even than i questioned its use. In a time when a 49 year old gay man is beaten to a pulp just for being gay, one must wonder if the use of such anti-gay terms should be accepted.

October 15, 2009 12:02 am at 12:02 am |

Agnes

I didn't realize that being a "pansy" is a bad thing.

October 15, 2009 12:05 am at 12:05 am |

Susan

And this is news why?

October 15, 2009 12:22 am at 12:22 am |

bob

Even going to a deserted island in the middle of the pacific ocean wont get you away from the media.

October 15, 2009 12:29 am at 12:29 am |

Jim

Jeff, congratulations on your trying to get into touch with the environment and your wanting to feel like you were doing something again. My guess is you are going to come off that island a changed man. And also a Democrat.

October 15, 2009 12:32 am at 12:32 am |

Texas Soon to be Blue

Who cares what these crazy Repulicans do.? There are all whacked.

October 15, 2009 12:42 am at 12:42 am |

Vince

Deserted islands are beautiful and all, but spending a week on one in order to somehow re-claim one's manhood is pathetic. This Flake character sounds like a Moron. Besides – who uses words like "pansy" anymore??? Get a life! If he wants to feel better about himself, maybe he should help feed starving children or improve education. Moron!